Stocks: S&P 500 closes at all-time high

The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high Tuesday as investors kicked off the second quarter with a spring in their step.

The broad US market index ended at a new record just over 1,885. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Nasdaq also closed with gains. Today's advance comes after stocks closed out a choppy first quarter with a strong finish on Monday.

If history is any guide, stocks could continue pushing higher this month. Stocks have returned 1.7% on average in the month of April over the past 40 years, making it the top performing month of the year, according to Schaeffer's Investment Research.

In economic news, a report on U.S. manufacturing this morning was flat, in line with expectations. Investors have been looking for clues on the health of the economy after Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen said Monday that the central bank's repair job was not yet finished.

GM has been criticized for how it handled a different recall due to faulty ignition switches, linked to the deaths of 13 people. CEO Mary Barra apologized Tuesday for the deaths and pledged to "do the right thing" in testimony on Capitol Hill. She will return Wednesday for another round of questioning from lawmakers.

Caterpillar(CAT) executives were on Capitol Hill to defend the company against allegations it avoided $2.4 billion in taxes. The company's stock price was up slightly as some traders discounted the report from a Senate panel.

"$CAT lol at the tax 'issue' - this info is 6yo, and is a practice shared by many other large US corps," said FsCtrades.